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Talking about other people’s lives kept Cindy from obsessing about how many hours were left until she could see Jace.
Her mother was her last customer of the day, which allowed Cindy to relax a bit as she did color and a trim for her ageless mom. “I don’t know how you do it,” Cindy said.
“Do what?” Sarah asked.
“Look like you’re forty when you’re a little more than that.”
“A little more,” Sarah said, laughing. “Like twenty-five years more.”
“You’re wearing it well, Mama.”
“Thanks to your efforts with those foils.”
“Nah, it’s all you. Tip of the hat to your ageless mother, too.”
“She’s a pretty spectacular eighty-five-year-old.”
“Yes, she is. I guess good genes run in our family.”
“On my side of the family, that is,” Sarah said dryly.
“That goes without saying.”
Cindy’s youngest brother Jeff looked just like their father as a younger man. Julia had darker hair like he did, but the rest of them were blond like their mother, thankfully.
“You know what helps keep me young?”
“What’s that?”
“Happiness. Being with Charlie has been life changing. I had no idea such a thing was possible, even growing up with my wonderful parents. If I’d known better, maybe I would’ve made some changes sooner. I wish I had. I wasted so much time that could’ve been spent being happy.”
“I’m so glad you finally got there, Mom. No one in this world deserves it more than you do.”
“We all do. That’s what I’ve learned. Every single one of us deserves love and happiness. That’s all I want for you kids now that I have it. Three down, four to go.”
Cindy laughed. “No pressure, though.”
“None at all. It’ll happen when it’s meant to, like it did for Owen, Katie and Julia.”
“They definitely got lucky.”
“You will, too, sweetie. I know it. That big heart of yours is going to make some man very lucky.”
“We’ll see, I guess.”
“I hope you’re open to the idea of finding someone.”
“I am, but I’m holding out for something special. I see Julia with Deacon, and I think, ‘I want what they have.’”
“They’re adorable together.”
“He’s crazy about her.”
“And vice versa. That’s how it ought to be.”
“I love that she’s playing and singing again.”
“Oh Lord, me, too. She absolutely shines onstage.” Her mother’s smile faded ever so slightly. “I hate what you all went through. I think about how I wish I had that time to do over, but if I did, I never would’ve married him or had you kids. And that would’ve been tragic. You guys make all the hard times worth it.”
